Wildfires in France and Spain have driven more than 300,000 people from their homes as strong winds and extreme heat complicate containment efforts, with officials warning that conditions remain volatile.
Firefighters in south-west France are battling fronts pushed toward Bordeaux by gusting winds, and one official said crews are far from bringing the blaze under control. Late on Saturday, authorities ordered an additional 55,000 evacuations, bringing the total to about 250,000 people displaced across the Gironde and Landes regions.
Captain Nicolas Braz told a news agency that the main fire had generated its own winds, including whirlwinds, making its behavior erratic and difficult to manage. He said another difficult night was expected.
France has mobilised military support, with army reinforcements assisting firefighters by clearing brush and cutting fire breaks. President Emmanuel Macron said the country would rebuild and that the government would remain engaged for as long as necessary.
In Spain, where a state of emergency has been declared, a shift in weather has provided some relief to crews working outside Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cautioned that complex times lie ahead as multiple blazes continue to burn.
Authorities in València reported the death of a man believed to be in his 70s. He was found in a car by firefighters as they extinguished a blaze in the Salt de l’Aigua ravine in Manises, according to local reports.
Wildfires in France and Spain strain resources
Officials in both countries said persistent winds and high temperatures remain the primary challenges. Emergency services continue to focus on evacuations, protecting communities, and reinforcing containment lines as forecasts point to ongoing difficult conditions.
The scale of the blazes has drawn comparisons with other deadly infernos, including a recent Lima house fire that highlighted the strain on emergency responders in extreme conditions.